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Performance Measures for 255,680 Diagnostic Mammography Examinations1 from 1996 to 2005 by Time (Months) Since Previous Mammography

  PPV22 Abnormal Interpretation3
Total 38.0% 8.5%
<=15 months 32.1% 7.3%
16-20 months 36.6% 7.0%
21-27 months 40.8% 8.2%
28+ months 48.0% 11.5%
No previous mammography 50.1% 20.1%

1 Diagnostic mammography examination: Mammography examinations indicated by the radiologist to be for evaluation of a breast problem.

2 PPV2 (Positive Predictive Value 2) = The percentage of examinations with a positive interpretation& that result in a tissue diagnosis of cancer§.

3 Abnormal interpretation = The percentage of examinations with a positive interpretation&.

§ Cancers = Examinations with a tissue diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive cancer within 30 days prior to or 1 year following the examination. Non-cancers = Examinations without a tissue diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive cancer within 30 days prior to or 1 year following the examination.

& Positive interpretation = BI-RADS category 0 or 3 with a recommendation for biopsy, 4, or 5.

Negative interpretation = BI-RADS category 1, 2, 0 with no recommendation for biopsy nor additional imaging/work-up, or 3 with no recommendation for biopsy.

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Last modified: 20 Nov 2008
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